Parenteral injection unit



Oct. 14, 1941.

J. E. B. SWABQCKER IARENTERAL INJECTION UNIT Filed Aug. 16, 1940' Jag/672x52? Patented Oct. 14,1941

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,259,276 .PAnEN'rEaAL INJECTION UNIT John E. B. Swabacker, Chicago, Ill. Application August 16, 1940, Serial'No. 352,846 3 Claims. (01. 128-214) My invention relates to a unit, preferably complete, in which all of the parts of an apparatus for giving a parenteral injection are associated, and retained together in sterile condition in a convenient package for immediate use on a patient.

Heretofore in parenteral injections it has been the custom to assemble an apparatus from supplies on hand. A bottle of sterile solution was obtained. An air inlet means was sterilized and plugged into the container. A length of tubing, a connector for connecting the tubing to the container, and a needle werg obtained from vari-- ous sources, sterilized and put together. A

these operations took time. Often parts were I missing, then replacement caused further delay.

Often parenteral injections are given in emergencies where saving of time is important in saving a patients life. Another objection to the above assemb y of parts is that old part-s are used. This is particularly bad where old tubing is used, because it is difficult to successfully sterilize a long length of previously used tubing and remove foreign matter .from the interior of the same.

It isamong the objects of this invention to solve these problems by providing all or most of the parts of an apparatus for giving a parenteral injection in a single package or unit. My parenteral injection unit has sterile, previously unused tubing, which in itspreferred form will be made of foldable or rollable and disposable materiaL, My combination is so formed that it may be retained indefinitely in sterile condition and yet be immediately availabl and usable at any time: My unit may be packed complete with all sterile .parts, never used before, and after use maybe disposed of, never to be used again for a parenteral injection. My invention also contemplates such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later mor fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawing a preferred form of my invention, yet I wish injection unit showing the tubing and attachments stored in the chamber in the closure; Fig; 3 is a detail view of my cellulose tubing assembly;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of my rubber tubing assembly; Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of a modified view of my closure with removable chamber member; Fig. 6 is a detail view of my sealed envelope.

The embodiment selected to illustrate my invention comprises a container i0 containing a sterile solution for intravenous or subcutaneous injections, such as dextrose, glucose, sodium chloride or the like. Within the neck H of the container 10 a plug l2, preferably made of rubber, composition or the like, is positioned by friction grip. Spaced openings l3 and I4 extend vertically through said plug l2, and in opening I3 is positioned the upper end of hollow air tube i5 made of glass or other suitable material. Th tube 15 extends downwardly within container to, with its lower container.

A washer iii of compressible materialsuch as rubber, composition or the like is positioned across the open top I! of the container H). A metal disc I8 is positioned on top of washer I6. Another compressible washer i9 is positioned on top of metal disc l8. A closure 20 has a hollow upper cap portion 2| forming a chamber therein, and a lower outwardly extending peripheral flange 22 forming a seat 23 so that when the screw threads 24 of the closure engage the screw threads 25 of theneck ll of the container, the seat 23 bears down against the top compressible washer l9 forming a seal therewith. Pressur is also exerted downward against metal disc [8 and lower compressible washer l6 so that the latter forms a seal with the top H of the container III.

A suitable length of sterile tubing 26 has attached to one end a sterile needle 21 and to the other end a sterile connector 28. A clamp 29 for regulating the flow within the tubing 26 is attached to the tubing 26. l

The tubing 26 is rolled or folded and in this form it with the attached needle 21, connector 28 and clamp 29 are placed within the hollow cap portion 2| of closure 20.

In the preferred embodiment, my tubing 26' is made of cellulose or other disposable material that may be folded or rolled. It is within the contemplation of my invention that the tubing screw closure 20 from container I0, remove washers I 6 and I9 and dise l8 and insert connector 28 into opening l4 of plug l2. Opening I4 is end above the bottom of the inwardly and then outwardly flared to form a.

grip for the recessed head 30 of the connector Adjacent the bottom of the container ID in the lower side walls a circular recess 3| is provided within which is held a band 32 to which is attached a swingable bale 33., The container l'0 may then be inverted ,with the bale 33 held in a Standard 34. The needle 21 is inserted into the patient, the clamp 29 is adjusted, air flows through tube l and the contents of the container pass through tubing 26 to thepatient.

Upon the completion of the injection, the entire unit, including the container and tubing, may be thrown away or otherwise disposed of, never to be used again for an injection operation.

My combination may also provide for a sealed envelope 35 into which the rolled or folded tubing and the attachments may be placed within the cap portion of the closure. This would act to insure that the tubing and attachments remain sterile until used in the injection operation.

It is also Within the contemplation of my invention that the needle, connector or clamp, or

all or any one of these attachments may be omitted from the chamber in the cap and be attached to the tubing upon the removal of the same from the closure. e

In a modified embodiment of my invention the closure 20 itself has no chamber 2 I, but has screw threads 36 adapted to be engaged by screw threads 31 of a separate chamber member 38. Said chamber member 38 is adapted to removably house the tubing 26, and, when desired, the attachments 21, 28 and 29. In this embodiment the tubing and attachments may be withdrawn before the container II] is unsealed by removal of closure 20.

Parenteral in this application is used in the sense of including intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A parenteral injection unit comprising a container having sterile injection solution therei in and an open top, a plug attached within the upper portion of said container, said plug having a pair of spaced openings extending therethrough,

an air inlet tube with its upper end positioned in one of said openings and extending into said container, the second opening formed to receive a connector, a closure adapted to removably close the open top of said container, sealing means between the top of the container and said closure, said closure having a hollow' upper cap portion, a length of sterile tubing, a sterile needle attached to one end of said tubing, and a sterile connector attached to the other end of said tubing, a clamping device attached to said tubing, said tubing rolledor folded and. with said attachments housed within the cap portion of said closure, said tubing and attachments removable from said closure upon detachment of the closure from said container so that upon inserting the connector into sealing communication with the second of said openings in the plug the unit may be immediately used for a parenteral injection.

2. Incombination with a container having sterile injection solution therein, air supply means, and a removable closure for sealing said container, said closure having a chamber therein, a length of sterile previously unused tubing made of disposable material, said tubing folded into a compact form, said tubing in said compact form removably positioned in said chamber and having sterile means for attaching one end of said tubing for sealed communication with said container upon the removal of the closure from the container, and an injection needle attached to the other end of said tubing.

3. In combination with a container having sterile injection solution therein, air supply means; and a removable closure for sealing said container, said closure having a chamber therein, a length of sterile previously unused tubing made of disposable material, said tubing folded into a compact form, said tubing in said compact form removably positioned in 'said chamber, sterile connector means for attaching one end of said tubing in sealed communication with said container upon the removal of the closure from the container, the other end of said tubing adapted to receive an injection needle.

JOHN E. B. SWABACKER. 

